China Travel Blog
Latest news on visa policies, travel tips, and in-depth guides — updated regularly as China's travel landscape evolves.
What to Do in Beijing: A Local's Honest Shortlist (2026)
What to do in Beijing: the Forbidden City done right, the right Great Wall section, hutong walks, Friday-night Temple of Heaven, and the Monday traps.
Sichuan Hiking: Changhaizi Lake, the Turquoise 4,100m Trail Anyone Can Walk (2026)
The best beginner trail for hiking in Sichuan — Changhaizi Lake, a turquoise lake at 4,100 m near Chengdu. Flower season, fees, shuttles, and how to get there.
800 Kilometers, Two Sleeps, Zero Vacation Days: How Chengdu Locals Ride to the Tibetan Plateau on a Weekend
A Chengdu local's honest first-person account of a 3-day motorcycle ride to Hongyuan on the Tibetan plateau — the route, the tire that killed our push to Ruoergai, the altitude headache, the marmot a Tibetan herder walked us out to see, and the awkward truth about renting motorcycles in China as a foreigner.
China eSIM 2026: 5 Picks Compared, Use Google Without VPN
The 5 main China eSIMs for foreigners in 2026, compared. Nomad, Airalo, Holafly all bypass the Great Firewall — Google + WhatsApp work without a VPN.
Alipay or WeChat Pay First? A 2026 Setup Guide for Foreigners in China
Install Alipay first, not WeChat — here's why, plus real 2026 transaction limits, the friend-verification trap, and what to do when your Visa is refused.
China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: What Foreigners Actually Need to Know (2026)
A practical decoder of China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy for foreign travelers: the 55 eligible countries, 60 entry/exit ports, 24 permitted provinces, the third-country rule (Hong Kong counts!), how the 240 hours are actually counted, the 24-hour police registration trap, and the difference between transit and 30-day visa-free. Updated for 2026.
How to Order Chongqing Hotpot: A Decoder for First-Time Visitors (2026)
An operating manual for foreigners walking into their first Chongqing hotpot meal: the five broths decoded, a 12-ingredient cheat sheet with exact cook times, the oil-dish recipe locals actually use, the cooking rhythm, and the food-safety question nobody else explains. Pairs with the Sichuan-Chongqing food guide and the Chongqing city itinerary.
Sichuan and Chongqing Food: A First-Timer's Guide (2026)
A practical food guide to Sichuan and Chongqing for first-time visitors: what mala actually is (and isn't), what to order in Chengdu vs Chongqing, where to actually find good local places, and the mistakes foreigners almost always make. Pairs with the Chongqing and Chengdu city guides.
The Perfect 3-Day Chongqing Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
A practical 3-day Chongqing plan: the mountain-city spine and Hongya Cave night view on Day 1, Ciqikou and skyline viewpoints on Day 2, Wulong or Dazu UNESCO day trip on Day 3. With station-specific train tips, the real Hongya light window, and first-timer hotpot guardrails.
Booking China Attractions 2026: Beijing & Real-Name Rule
Real-name registration, passport locks, when to skip Trip.com, how to find each attraction's official WeChat. The 3-tier booking method that works in 2026.
The Perfect 2-Day Lijiang Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
A relaxed 2-day Lijiang plan: Old Town exploration and Shuhe Village on Day 1, Yulong Snow Mountain on Day 2. With altitude tips, cable car strategy, and how to avoid the crowds.
Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai: The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary (2026)
How to do Suzhou as a day trip from Shanghai: which train to take, the two gardens worth visiting, Pingjiang Road for lunch, and how to be back in Shanghai by dinner. With practical timing and ticket tips.
The Perfect 3-Day Zhangjiajie Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
A practical 3-day Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain plan for first-time visitors: Yuanjiajie (the Avatar Mountains), Tianzi Mountain, the Bailong Elevator, and Tianmen's cable-car route. Covers the 4-day pass, the Day 2 hotel move, and how to time each cable car.
The Perfect 3-Day Guilin and Yangshuo Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
A realistic 3-day Guilin and Yangshuo plan: Guilin city on Day 1, the Li River cruise and arrival in Yangshuo on Day 2, Yangshuo countryside cycling on Day 3. With cruise booking tips and transport details.
2-Day Hangzhou Itinerary 2026: West Lake + Longjing Tea
2-day Hangzhou plan: West Lake + Leifeng Pagoda Day 1, Longjing tea plantations + Lingyin Temple Day 2. Timing, transport, and easy add-ons from Shanghai.
The Perfect 3-Day Chengdu Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
A relaxed 3-day Chengdu plan: pandas at sunrise on Day 1, People's Park tea and hotpot on Day 2, Dujiangyan day trip on Day 3. Built for first-time visitors who want Chengdu's iconic experiences without rushing.
The Perfect 2-Day Xi'an Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
A focused 2-day Xi'an plan: the Terracotta Warriors and city walls on Day 1, the Muslim Quarter and Shaanxi History Museum on Day 2. With timing, transport, and food recommendations.
The Perfect 3-Day Shanghai Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
A realistic 3-day Shanghai plan: the Bund and Old Town on Day 1, Lujiazui skyline and French Concession on Day 2, and a flexible Day 3 for day trips or deeper neighborhoods. With metro stops, timing, and food recommendations.
Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Rail: Route, Booking, and What to Expect
A practical guide to taking the high-speed rail from Beijing to Xi'an: which train to pick, how to book tickets as a foreigner, what the 4.5-hour journey is like, and how it compares to flying.
7 Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in Beijing
The 7 most common mistakes first-time visitors make in Beijing — from under-planning the Forbidden City to choosing the wrong Great Wall section — and how to avoid each one.
Beijing Trip Preparation Checklist: What to Do Before You Go
A practical preparation checklist for first-time visitors to Beijing: what to book ahead, what apps to install, payment setup, what to pack, and timing for each step.
Best Great Wall Section Travel 2026: Mutianyu vs Badaling
The best Great Wall section for first-time travelers from Beijing: Mutianyu vs Badaling vs Jinshanling vs Simatai. Crowds, scenery, hiking, transport.
How Many Days in Beijing? 4 Is the Sweet Spot (2026 First-Timer Guide)
The honest answer: 4 days is the sweet spot. What fits in 2, 3, 4, or 5 days, what gets cut at each length, and when to add a Great Wall day trip.
4-Day Beijing Itinerary: What Fits + What to Skip (2026)
Day 1 Forbidden City, Day 2 Great Wall, Day 3 Temple of Heaven + hutongs, Day 4 flex. Real timing, metro stops, where to eat each evening — by a local.